Impact Assessment Consultant (External) at Save The Slum Initiative

Position Overview

• An independent Impact Assessment Consultant will conduct rigorous external evaluation of project outcomes using gold-standard research methodologies to validate biodiversity and livelihood improvements.
• This prestigious consultancy requires exceptional expertise in impact evaluation to provide credible evidence supporting National Geographic Society reporting requirements and informing future scaling strategies across West Africa.

Key Responsibilities
Evaluation Design:

• Develop comprehensive randomized controlled trial (RCT) design comparing intervention and control plots across 40 demonstration sites to measure causal impact of integrated pollinator-soil microbiome interventions on agricultural productivity, biodiversity indicators, and household welfare outcomes.
• Ensure methodological rigor meeting international evaluation standards and peer-review requirements.

Data Collection Oversight:

• Design and supervise implementation of robust data collection protocols including quantitative surveys of 400 households, qualitative assessments through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and participant observation.
• Ensure ethical compliance with Nigerian research standards while maintaining data quality and minimizing bias.

Statistical Analysis:

• Conduct sophisticated econometric analysis using appropriate techniques (difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, instrumental variables) to isolate project impact from confounding factors.
• Analyse quantitative data on pollinator abundance, soil health metrics, crop yields, household incomes, and broader livelihood indicators using advanced statistical software.

Qualitative Assessment:

• Lead comprehensive qualitative evaluation capturing farmer perceptions, adoption experiences, gender-differentiated impacts, and unintended consequences through structured interviews and participatory evaluation techniques.
• Document community perspectives on project sustainability, scaling potential, and recommendations for improvement.

Report Development:

• Prepare comprehensive impact evaluation report detailing methodology, findings, limitations, and policy recommendations following international best practices for impact evaluation reporting.
• Present results clearly for diverse audiences including academic peers, policymakers, donors, and community stakeholders.

Knowledge Dissemination:

• Present findings through academic conferences, policy briefings, and peer-reviewed publications contributing to global knowledge on integrated approaches to agricultural biodiversity conservation and rural development. Support STSI in translating findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement and scaling.

Capacity Building:

• Provide technical guidance to STSI staff on evaluation methodologies, data analysis techniques, and evidence-based program management while building organizational capacity for ongoing monitoring and evaluation activities.

Deliverables

• Detailed evaluation design and methodology document
• Comprehensive impact evaluation report (40-50 pages)
• Executive summary and policy brief
• Presentation for stakeholders and funders
• Peer-reviewed publication draft
• Capacity building workshop for STSI staff

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's/PhD) in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Public Policy, or related field with minimum 7 years' experience conducting impact evaluations of agricultural or development programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in randomized controlled trials, econometric analysis, and mixed-methods research approaches.

Technical Expertise:

• Proficiency in statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS) and qualitative analysis tools with strong background in causal inference methods, survey design, and sampling techniques. Experience with agricultural development projects, rural livelihood analysis, and biodiversity conservation programs in sub-Saharan Africa preferred.

Professional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and writing skills with proven track record of high-quality evaluation reports and peer-reviewed publications. Strong project management abilities and experience coordinating with diverse stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.